2017 Victories

PASSED!!!

2016 Victories

PASSED!!!

PASSED!!!

PASSED!!!

Why Does Emailing Congress Matter?

Congressional staffers keep a tally of every issue that people in their district contact the leader about. This information goes into a weekly report that is viewed by the Congressional leader and key staff. Just one email will get the issue or bill on your leader’s radar.

All it takes is a few seconds of your time to advocate on behalf of the world’s poor.

Like members of Congress, the President monitors emails, letters and tallies phone calls to determine which issues are important to voters. On average, the White House receives 20,000 letters and e-mails every day and they are all read by White House staff. The staff consists of 50 full-time mail analysts, 25 interns and over 1,500 volunteers who read these letters. After analyzing the letters the team then picks 10 letters per day to be read by the President.

1Phone:To call the White House, the number for the comments line is 202-456-1111 and the switchboard line is 202-456-1414

3 Mail: If the letter is handwritten, it is recommended that it be in pen and neatly written. Include a return address on the letter and a work address as well, if that is an option. Send all letters to:

“I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like the President to increase funding for theInternational Affairs Budget.”

If you’re wondering who are my Congressmen, then look no further. The Borgen Project has the inside scoop on who your Congressmen and Congresswomen are and how to contact them.

Everyone living in the United States is served by 2 U.S. Senators and 1 U.S. Representative. Enter your zipcode below to find their name and phone number.

100 Senators + 435 Representatives = Congress

Congress in Simple Terms…

You have three members of Congress who represent you in D.C. – two Senators and one Representative.

Senators serve 6-year terms in the Senate and there are two from each state.

Representatives serve 2-year terms in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives from each state is determined by population. For example, there are numerous Representatives from New York City while there is only one Representative serving the entire state of Alaska.

Representatives are frequently referred to as Congressmen, Congresswomen or Reps.

Learn how to call Congress and why these phone calls help influence leaders.

If you want to find US Congressmen by State then you are at the right spot. Simply enter your zip code below to find who represents you in Congress.

100 Senators + 435 Representatives = Congress

Congress in Simple Terms…

You have three members of Congress who represent you in D.C. – two Senators and one Representative.

Senators serve 6-year terms in the Senate and there are two from each state.

Representatives serve 2-year terms in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives from each state is determined by population. For example, there are numerous Representatives from New York City while there is only one Representative serving the entire state of Alaska.

Representatives are frequently referred to as Congressmen, Congresswomen or Reps.

What to say: “Hi, I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like to see funding for USAID increased.”

That’s all there is to it! Call the office of your three leaders weekly.

I’m scared to call! Don’t be. Usually the person answering the call is an intern working for Congressional leader. Their job is customer service and to keep the people who live in their district happy. Simply say the script above and the intern will write in the congressional leaders report that one person called in support of USAID (the U.S. agency that assists the world’s poor).

You don’t need to be an expert on politics or the topic to call. You’re simply calling as a citizen to let the people representing you in Congress know that you want them focused on helping the poor. At most, you might be asked your address or zip code but that’s simply to verify that you live in the leaders district. Congressional leaders and their key staff follow these reports closely.

Congressional offices tally every issue that people in their district contact them about. It’s not uncommon for a leader to support a poverty-reduction bill after as few as 7-10 people call in support of it. With a 30-second call you can instantly get a bill/issue viewed by your leader.

1FIND YOUR LEADERS

Everyone living in the United States is served by 2 U.S. Senators and 1 U.S. Representative. Enter your zip code below.

2ADD THEM TO YOUR PHONE

Add the phone numbers of your 3 members of Congress to your cellphone.

3CALL WEEKLY

A helpful receptionist, usually an intern, will answer the phone. All you have to say is, “I’m a Borgen Project supporter. Please protect funding for the International Affairs Budget.” Be sure to give them your name and zip code. Visit the legislation section to find key poverty-reduction bills to call in support of.

This is an actual constituent report given to us by a Chief of Staff. Each week, your congressional leader receives a report like this tallying each issue and bill that voters called supporting and rejecting.

There are two types of drivers in this world. Those who waste away sitting in traffic and those who improve the world while sitting in traffic.

Turn your idle time into advocacy time. Put your three congressional leaders in your cellphone and call on a weekly basis in support of poverty-focused aid. Simply add your leaders to your cellphone and call when you’re bored or sitting in traffic. These calls rarely take longer than 30-seconds.

100 Senators + 435 Representatives = Congress

Congress in Simple Terms…

You have three members of Congress who represent you in D.C. – two Senators and one Representative.

Senators serve 6-year terms in the Senate and there are two from each state.

Representatives serve 2-year terms in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives from each state is determined by population. For example, there are numerous Representatives from New York City while there is only one Representative serving the entire state of Alaska.

Representatives are frequently referred to as Congressmen, Congresswomen or Reps.

What Happens When You Call

Calling Congress FAQ’S

What is a Congressional Call? A 30-second call to your congressional leaders’ offices to express support for reducing global poverty or a specific bill that addresses global poverty issues.

Why is The Borgen Project so passionate about individuals calling their Congressional leaders? The Borgen Project has a rare level of access inside congressional offices and the organization has seen firsthand the impact these calls have. Political offices tally every single call they receive and a weekly summary of calls is given to the political leader. Anyone making a 30-second Congressional call can get the issues or a specific bill noticed by their Congressional leader.

Do I need to be an expert on politics or the issue to call? Nope. You’re a citizen telling the people elected to represent you back in Washington, D.C. that global poverty is important to you. The job of the person answering the phone (usually an intern) is simply to take down your information. You won’t be quizzed. At most, they might ask for your address or zipcode to verify that you live in the Congressional leaders district.

What do I say? “I’m a Borgen Project supporter and I would like to see funding for USAID increased.” That’s all there is to it. Also visit the legislation section to find specific poverty-reduction bills that you can call in favor of. Who do I call? Call the two U.S. Senators and one U.S. Representative who represent your area.

How often should I call? We recommend calling every week.

What tips do you have for getting in the habit of calling every week? Put your congressional leaders in your cellphone and pick a set day and day to do it each week (ie. Monday evening while sitting in traffic on the way home).

Can I call when the office is closed? Yes. Simply leave a leave a message on the general voicemail. The messages are checked each morning and your call will still be tallied in the memo.

Who’s eligible to call? Anyone who is a U.S. citizen and/or living in the United States can call congress.

Do you have to be 18 or older? No. We’ve seen 1st grade students call.